JP7479454B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-directional input device that includes multiple rubber dome switches that detect the movement of an operating knob in multiple sliding directions or tilting directions, and a metal dome switch that produces a different feel (click sensation) than the rubber dome switch.

International Publication No. 2019/198371

However, in order to enable the operation knob to be pressed vertically, the multi-directional input device described in Patent Document 1 requires an additional switch for detecting the pressing operation in addition to the metal dome switch, which produces a different feel (click feeling) than the rubber dome switch, making it difficult to realize a multi-directional input device that is compact and inexpensive.

A multi-directional input device according to one embodiment includes an operation knob that can be moved horizontally and pressed vertically, an operation direction detection switch that switches to an ON state when the operation knob is moved, and a common switch that is pressed whether the knob is moved or pressed, produces a different operation feel from the operation direction detection switch, and switches to an ON state.

According to one embodiment, the number of switches required to generate an operating sensation can be reduced, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and cost of the multi-directional input device.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment (with the case removed); FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment taken along an XZ plane; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a knob included in the multi-directional input device according to the embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side); FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an undercover and various components provided on an upper surface side of the undercover included in a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inclined plate of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side); FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrical connection configuration of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a determination pattern of operation content used by a control device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment (in a non-operated state) taken along an XZ plane; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment (in a state where a pressing operation is performed) taken along an XZ plane; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment (with only the rubber dome switch 137 turned on after a slide operation is performed) taken along an XZ plane; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment (when a slide operation is performed and the metal dome switch 135 is also in an on state) taken along an XZ plane;

One embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings.

(Overview of the multi-directional input device 100)
1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. In the following description, for convenience, the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction, and the horizontal directions are defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. However, the X-axis direction is defined as the front-rear direction, and the Y-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction.

The multi-directional input device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is installed in a position (e.g., a center console, etc.) within the cabin of a vehicle such as an automobile where the driver of the vehicle can operate it. As shown in Fig. 1, the multi-directional input device 100 includes a case 110 and a cylindrical operation knob 120 that protrudes upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) from the case 110.

The operation knob 120 can be slid (one example of a "horizontal movement operation") in each of the first sliding operation direction D1 (positive X-axis direction), the second sliding operation direction D2 (negative X-axis direction), the third sliding operation direction D3 (negative Y-axis direction), and the fourth sliding operation direction D4 (positive Y-axis direction). The operation knob 120 can also be pressed in the pressing operation direction D7 (negative Z-axis direction). Furthermore, the operation knob 120 can be rotated in each of the first rotating operation direction D5, which is a clockwise direction, and the second rotating operation direction D6, which is a counterclockwise direction, about the rotation center axis AX.

The multi-directional input device 100 can control an in-vehicle device (e.g., a navigation device, an audio device, an air conditioning device, etc.) electrically connected to the multi-directional input device 100 by the driver sliding, pressing, or rotating the operation knob 120. Note that the multi-directional input device 100 is not limited to use in vehicles, and may also be used in equipment other than vehicles (e.g., aircraft, railroad cars, game consoles, remote controls, etc.).

(Configuration of multi-directional input device 100)
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the multi-directional input device 100 (with the case removed) according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment along the XZ plane. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the operation knob 120 included in the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the undercover 130 and various components provided on the upper side of the undercover 130 included in the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cam member 140 included in the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side).

As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-directional input device 100 of one embodiment includes, from the top of the figure, an operation knob 120, a holder 150, a cam member 140, a case 110, and an undercover 130.

<Case 110>
The case 110 is a box-shaped member with openings on the top and bottom. The opening on the bottom of the case 110 is closed by the undercover 130. In this way, various components (such as a push rod 138 and a rubber dome switch 137) provided on the top surface side of the undercover 130 are accommodated in the internal space 110A of the case 110. For example, the case 110 is formed by injection molding a resin material such as ABS resin (ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or polycarbonate. The case 110 is formed with a circular opening 110B centered on the rotation center axis AX and an annular area 110C surrounding the opening 110B. A disk portion 142 of the cam member 140 is placed on the top surface of the area 110C. At this time, a bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140 is inserted into the opening 110B. The outer diameter of the bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 110B. The outer diameter of the disk portion 142 of the cam member 140 is smaller than the outer diameter of the region 110C. As a result, the cam member 140 is provided so as to be horizontally movable in each moving operation direction (slide operation direction) relative to the opening 110B and the region 110C. In the region 110C, a plurality of through holes 110D are formed on the same circumference at equal intervals. The push rod 138 is inserted into the through hole 110D from below. As a result, the through hole 110D allows the upper end 138A of the push rod 138 to protrude from the upper surface of the region 110C. In this embodiment, eight through holes 110D corresponding to the eight push rods 138 are formed on the same circumference at equal intervals (i.e., 45° intervals).

<Operation knob 120>
The operation knob 120 is a columnar operation member that is slid, pressed, and rotated by the operator. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, a cylindrical shaft portion 121 is provided hanging down from the center of the bottom surface 120A of the operation knob 120. The shaft portion 121 is inserted into a tube of a bearing portion 141 provided in the cam member 140, and is a portion that reciprocates in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) within the tube of the bearing portion 141 as the operation knob 120 is pressed down.

As shown in Figure 5, in the operation knob 120, a cam 122 is provided at the center of the inside of the cylinder of the shaft portion 121 (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX). The cam 122 is an example of a "first cam portion that moves together with the moving operation and pressing operation of the operation knob". When the operation knob 120 is slid or pressed, the hemispherical upper end portion 136A (see Figure 6) of the actuator 136 arranged below the cam 122 is pressed downward, whereby the metal dome switch 135 arranged below the actuator 136 can be pressed via the actuator 136.

As shown in Figure 5, the cam 122 is formed in a concave shape recessed upward. The cam 122 has a central portion 122X and four first cam surfaces 123 corresponding to each of the four sliding directions D1 to D4 of the operation knob 120. The first cam surfaces 123 are an example of a "first cam surface that presses down on the first pressing member in association with the movement operation of the operation knob." The central portion 122X presses down on the hemispherical upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 in association with the pressing operation of the operation knob 120.

Each of the four first cam surfaces 123 extends from the center 122X at a downward incline in each of the movement directions (four sliding directions) of the operation knob 120. Each of the four first cam surfaces 123 presses the hemispherical upper end 136A of the actuator 136 in response to the sliding operation of the operation knob 120.

The four first cam surfaces 123 have the same shape, i.e., when viewed from below in a plan view, each has a sector shape that forms an angle of 90° with respect to the rotation center axis AX. In the example shown in Fig. 5, each of the four first cam surfaces 123 is a curved surface, so that the amount of depression of the actuator 136 increases nonlinearly according to the amount of sliding of the operation knob 120.

The operation knob 120 has a rotation mechanism that allows it to be rotated. That is, the shaft 121 of the operation knob 120 does not rotate relative to the case 110, and the operation knob 120 is configured to be rotatable by itself, with the approximately cylindrical member above the shaft 121. Therefore, when the operation knob 120 is rotated, the cam 122 provided on the shaft 121 does not rotate relative to the case 110. When the operation knob 120 is rotated, a rotation detection signal is output to the circuit board 132 via a harness (not shown).

<Undercover 130>
The undercover 130 is a flat member that covers the lower opening of the case 110. As shown in detail in Fig. 6, a flat circuit board 132 is provided and overlapped on the upper surface of the undercover 130. Furthermore, a flat rubber mat 134 made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber, silicone, etc.) is provided and overlapped on the upper surface of the circuit board 132.

A circular opening 134A is formed in the rubber mat 134, centered on the central axis of rotation AX. A part of the circuit board 132 is exposed from the opening 134A, and a metal dome switch 135 is provided at a position on the central axis of rotation AX in the part of the circuit board 132. The metal dome switch 135 is a push switch equipped with a metal dome that can provide a clicking sensation.

Above the metal dome switch 135, the actuator 136 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The actuator 136 is an example of a "first pressing member" and is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper end 136A of the actuator 136 is hemispherical. The lower end 136B of the actuator 136 is disk-shaped. When the operation knob 120 is operated (sliding operation and pressing operation), the actuator 136 is pressed down by the cam 122 (see FIG. 5) provided on the operation knob 120. As a result, when the operation knob 120 is operated (sliding operation and pressing operation), the actuator 136 can press down the metal dome switch 135 provided on the lower side and switch the metal dome switch 135 to the on state. The metal dome switch 135 is an example of a "common switch". In other words, regardless of whether the operation knob 120 is moved horizontally or pressed vertically, the metal dome switch 135 is pressed by the actuator 136, producing a different operating feel from that of the rubber dome switch 137 and switching to the on state.

In addition, in the rubber mat 134, in the annular region 134B surrounding the opening 134A, multiple rubber dome switches 137 are arranged side by side on the same circumference centered on the rotation center axis AX. Each of the multiple rubber dome switches 137 is an example of an "operation direction detection switch". Above each of the multiple rubber dome switches 137, a roughly cylindrical push rod 138 is provided so as to be movable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The push rod 138 is an example of a "second pressing member" and is a round bar-shaped member extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The upper end 138A of the push rod 138 is hemispherical. The lower end 138B of the push rod 138 is disk-shaped.

Each of the multiple push rods 138 is pushed down by the cam member 140 when the operation knob 120 is operated (sliding operation). As a result, each of the multiple push rods 138 can push down the rubber dome switch 137 provided on the lower side when the operation knob 120 is operated (sliding operation) to switch the rubber dome switch 137 to an on state. The rubber dome switch 137 has a convex shape protruding upward, and is pushed down by the push rod 138 and elastically deformed, so that the movable contact (not shown) of the rubber dome switch 137 can be brought into contact with two fixed contacts (not shown) provided directly below the rubber dome switch 137 on the upper surface of the circuit board 132, and the two fixed contacts can be switched to a state in which they are conductive to each other (i.e., an on state). In the example shown in FIG. 6, eight rubber dome switches 137 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 45° intervals) in the area 134B. Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 6, eight push rods 138 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 45° intervals) on the same circumference centered on the central axis of rotation AX.

<Cam Member 140>
The cam member 140 is an example of a "second cam portion." The cam member 140 is provided to be horizontally movable together with the operation knob 120 relative to the case 110. The cam member 140 also supports the operation knob 120 so as to be vertically movable. The cam member 140 has a bearing portion 141 and a disk portion 142. The disk portion 142 is placed on an annular region 110C formed around the opening 110B of the case 110. At this time, the bearing portion 141 is inserted into the opening 110B. As a result, the cam member 140 is provided to be horizontally movable in each sliding operation direction relative to the opening 110B and the region 110C.

As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom side of the disk portion 142 of the cam member 140 is provided with a ring-shaped second cam surface 143 centered on the rotation center axis AX in a plan view from below. The second cam surface 143 is an example of a "second cam surface that moves together with the horizontal movement of the operation knob". The second cam surface 143 is an inclined surface that is inclined so that the radius from the rotation center axis AX gradually increases toward the upper side. As shown in FIG. 7, under the second cam surface 143, a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) push rods 138 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 45° intervals) on the same circumference centered on the rotation center axis AX. The hemispherical upper end portion 138A of each of the plurality of (eight in this embodiment) push rods 138 abuts against the second cam surface 143. As a result, when the operating knob 120 is slid, the cam member 140 moves in the sliding direction together with the operating knob 120, thereby allowing the push rod 138, which is provided in the sliding direction, to be pressed downward by the second cam surface 143.

<Holder 150>
The holder 150 is a substantially annular member having a circular opening 150A centered on the central axis of rotation AX. The holder 150 is fixed to the case 110 by screws. The holder 150 slidably abuts against the upper surface of the cam member 140 with the cam member 140 disposed in the opening 110B of the case 110. This allows the holder 150 to hold the cam member 140 so that it can be slidably operated within the opening 110B. The opening 150A of the holder 150 allows the shaft portion 121 of the operation knob 120 and the bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140 to be inserted therethrough.

(Electrical connection configuration of the multi-directional input device 100)
8 is a diagram showing an electrical connection configuration of the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the multi-directional input device 100 includes a control device 160. The control device 160 is electrically connected to each of the four rubber dome switches 137 corresponding to the four slide operation directions D1 to D4 of the operation knob 120 and the one metal dome switch 135. The control device 160 can detect the state (on state and off state) of each of the multiple switches 137 and 135. Then, the control device 160 can determine the operation content of the operation knob 120 by the operator according to the detection result of the state of the multiple switches 137 and 135, and execute a predetermined process according to the determination result.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment includes eight rubber dome switches 137 corresponding to the eight sliding directions of the operation knob 120. However, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment is capable of detecting the sliding operation of each of the four sliding directions of the operation knob 120 because the cam 122 of the operation knob 120 has four cam surfaces 123 corresponding to the four sliding directions. Therefore, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment is capable of detecting the sliding operation of each of the eight sliding directions of the operation knob 120 because the cam 122 of the operation knob 120 has eight cam surfaces 123 corresponding to the eight sliding directions.

(An example of a judgment pattern of operation content)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a determination pattern for the operation content used by the control device 160 according to an embodiment.

9, when the control device 160 detects that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched on after detecting that the rubber dome switch 137 has been switched on, it ignores the metal dome switch 135 being switched on and determines that the operation knob 120 has been slid. The control device 160 then executes a predetermined process in response to the slide operation of the operation knob 120. In this case, if the execution of the predetermined process in response to the slide operation is performed after detecting that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched on, the operator can know that the slide operation has definitely been performed by the sound and clicking sensation generated by the metal dome switch 135.

Furthermore, if the control device 160 detects that the rubber dome switch 137 is switched on within a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) after detecting that the metal dome switch 135 is switched on, it ignores the metal dome switch 135 being switched on and determines that the operation knob 120 has been slid. The control device 160 then executes a predetermined process in response to the sliding operation of the operation knob 120. This assumes that the operator performs the sliding operation while putting their weight on the operation knob 120, and the initial switching on of the metal dome switch 135 is ignored because the operator did not intend to perform a pressing operation.

In addition, if a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after detecting that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched on without detecting that the rubber dome switch 137 has been switched on, the control device 160 determines that the operation knob 120 has been pressed down. Then, the control device 160 executes a predetermined process in response to the pressing of the operation knob 120.

(Operation of the multi-directional input device 100 during pressing operation)
Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 100 when the operation knob 120 is pressed will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device 100 (in a state where no operation is performed) according to an embodiment in the XZ plane. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device 100 (in a state where a pressing operation is performed) according to an embodiment in the XZ plane.

The multi-directional input device 100 has the configuration described using Figures 1 to 9, and when the operator presses the operation knob 120 downward (negative direction of the Z axis), it operates as described below.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the shaft portion 121 of the operating knob 120 moves downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) within the cylinder of the bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140, and the cam 122 provided at the center (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX) within the cylinder of the shaft portion 121 of the operating knob 120 presses the upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 downward at its center portion 122X.

The actuator 136 uses the bottom surface of its disk-shaped lower end 136B to press down the metal dome switch 135 provided below the actuator 136, switching the metal dome switch 135 to the on state. At this time, the sound and clicking sensation generated by the metal dome switch 135 are transmitted to the operator's hand via the actuator 136 and the operation knob 120.

Then, the control device 160 (see FIG. 8) electrically connected to the metal dome switch 135 detects that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched to the on state, determines that the operation knob 120 has been pressed, and executes a predetermined process corresponding to the pressing of the operation knob 120 (for example, outputs a signal indicating that the operation knob 120 has been pressed to the in-vehicle device to be controlled).

When the operator releases the depression of the operation knob 120, the metal dome switch 135 switches to the off state, and the return force of the metal dome switch 135 generated at that time pushes the operation knob 120 upward, and the operation knob 120 returns to the predetermined initial position shown in Figure 10.

When the operation knob 120 is pressed, the shaft portion 121 of the operation knob 120 moves downward independently of the cam member 140. Therefore, when the operation knob 120 is pressed, the cam member 140 does not move downward, and the multiple rubber dome switches 137 are not pressed.

(Operation of the multi-directional input device 100 during slide operation)
Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 100 when the operation knob 120 is slid will be described with reference to Fig. 10, Fig. 12, and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view in the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment (when the operation is performed by sliding the knob and only the rubber dome switch 137 is on). Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view in the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment (when the operation is performed by sliding the knob and the metal dome switch 135 is on).

The multi-directional input device 100 has the configuration described using Figures 1 to 9, and operates as described below when the operator slides the operation knob 120 in any of the four sliding operation directions D1 to D4.

Note that, in the following, as an example, the operation of the multi-directional input device 100 when a slide operation is performed in the first slide operation direction D2 (negative direction of the X-axis) is described, but the multi-directional input device 100 also operates in the same manner when a slide operation is performed in the other slide operation directions D1, D3, and D4.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, the cam member 140 moves in the first sliding operation direction D2 (negative direction of the X-axis) together with the shaft portion 121 of the operating knob 120, and the second cam surface 143 provided on the bottom side of the disk portion 142 of the cam member 140 presses downward the upper end portion 138A of the push rod 138 on the negative side of the X-axis.

The X-axis negative side push rod 138 uses the bottom surface of its disk-shaped lower end 138B to press down on the rubber dome switch 137 located below the X-axis negative side push rod 138, switching the rubber dome switch 137 to the on state.

Then, the control device 160 (see FIG. 8) electrically connected to the rubber dome switch 137 detects that the rubber dome switch 137 has been switched to the ON state. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 12, when the cam member 140 moves in the first sliding operation direction D2 (X-axis negative direction) together with the shaft portion 121 of the operation knob 120, the cam 122 provided in the center of the cylinder of the shaft portion 121 of the operation knob 120 (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX) presses the upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 downward at the first cam surface 123 on the X-axis positive side. The actuator 136 uses the bottom surface of its disk-shaped lower end 136B to press down on the metal dome switch 135 located below the actuator 136. However, even when the rubber dome switch 137 switches to the on state, the metal dome switch 135 does not switch to the on state because the shape of the first cam surface 123 is set so that the amount of movement of the actuator 136 is less than the stroke for switching the metal dome switch 135 to the on state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the cam member 140 moves further in the first sliding operation direction D2 (negative direction of the X-axis) together with the shaft portion 121 of the operating knob 120 while the rubber dome switch 137 remains in the on state, the cam 122 provided at the center of the inside of the shaft portion 121 of the operating knob 120 (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX) presses the upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 further downward on the first cam surface 123 on the positive side of the X-axis.

The actuator 136 uses the bottom surface of its disk-shaped lower end 136B to press down the metal dome switch 135 provided below the actuator 136, switching the metal dome switch 135 to the on state. At this time, the sound and clicking sensation generated by the metal dome switch 135 are transmitted to the operator's hand via the actuator 136 and the operation knob 120.

Then, the control device 160 (see FIG. 8) electrically connected to the metal dome switch 135 detects that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched to the ON state. Based on the detection that the rubber dome switch 137 has been switched to the ON state and the detection that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched to the ON state, the control device 160 determines that a slide operation of the operation knob 120 has been performed in the first slide operation direction D2 (X-axis negative direction), and executes a predetermined process corresponding to the slide operation of the operation knob 120 in the first slide operation direction D2 (X-axis negative direction) (for example, outputting a signal indicating that a slide operation of the operation knob 120 has been performed in the first slide operation direction D2 to the in-vehicle device to be controlled).

When the operator releases the sliding operation of the operation knob 120, the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135 switch to the OFF state, and the restoring force of the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135 generated at that time pushes the operation knob 120 upward, and the operation knob 120 returns to the predetermined initial position shown in Figure 10.

In this way, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, when the operation knob 120 is slid, the rubber dome switch 137 is first pressed by the push rod 138 to turn on, and then the metal dome switch 135 is pressed by the actuator 136 to turn on. As a result, even when the operation knob 120 is slid, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can present the operator with a sound or a clicking sensation through the metal dome switch 135. The difference in the timing of pressing the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135 and the timing of transition to the on state can be generated by setting the inclination angle of the cam surfaces 123, 143, etc., taking into account the stroke amount of the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135.

As described above, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment includes an operation knob 120 that can be slid horizontally and pressed vertically, a rubber dome switch 137 that switches to the on state when the operation knob 120 is slid, and a metal dome switch 135 that produces an operation feel different from that of the rubber dome switch 137 and switches to the on state when pressed, regardless of whether the operation knob 120 is slid or pressed.

As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can generate sounds and clicking sensations for both sliding and pressing the operation knob 120 by using one metal dome switch 135. Therefore, according to the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the number of switches for generating the operation sensation can be reduced, thereby realizing a smaller size and lower cost of the multi-directional input device 100.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

For example, in one embodiment of the multi-directional input device 100, the horizontal movement operation of the operation knob 120 is a slide operation, but a tilt fulcrum may be provided on the rotation center axis AX of the operation knob 120 to perform a tilt operation.

This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-076668, filed on April 23, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Multi-directional input device 110 Case 110A Internal space 110B Opening 110C Area 110D Through hole 120 Operation knob 120A Bottom surface 121 Shaft portion 122 Cam (first cam portion)
123 First cam surface 130 Undercover 132 Circuit board 134 Rubber mat 134A Opening 134B Area 135 Metal dome switch 136 Actuator (first pressing member)
136A Upper end 136B Lower end 137 Rubber dome switch (operation direction detection switch)
138 Push rod (second pushing member)
138A Upper end portion 138B Lower end portion 140 Cam member (second cam portion)
141 Bearing portion 142 Disk portion 143 Second cam surface 150 Holder AX Rotation central axis

Claims (6)

an operation knob that can be moved in multiple horizontal directions and pressed down in a vertical direction;
an operation direction detection switch that is switched to an on state in response to the moving operation of the operation knob;
a common switch that is pressed when the operation knob is moved or when the operation knob is pressed, generates an operation feeling different from that of the operation direction detection switch, and is switched to an on state;
a first cam portion that moves together with the operation knob in accordance with the moving operation of the operation knob in the horizontal direction and the pressing operation of the operation knob in the vertical direction;
a first pressing member that is pressed by the first cam portion and presses the common switch as the first cam portion moves in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction ,
The first cam portion is
a plurality of first cam surfaces extending from a center portion at a downward inclination corresponding to each of the directions of the movement operation in a plurality of directions in the horizontal direction;
the first pressing member is pressed by one of the first cam surfaces corresponding to a direction of the movement operation while moving in the horizontal direction in accordance with the movement operation of the operation knob in the horizontal direction ;
The first pressing member is pressed by the first cam surfaces while moving in the vertical direction in response to the pressing operation of the operation knob in the vertical direction.
A multi-directional input device comprising: a second cam portion having a second cam surface that moves together with the horizontal movement of the operation knob;
a second pressing member that is pressed by the second cam surface as the second cam portion moves in the horizontal direction to press the operation direction detection switch. When the operation knob is pressed down, the first cam portion moves in a pressing direction and presses the first pressing member, thereby pressing down the common switch;
3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the operation knob is moved in the horizontal direction, both the first cam portion and the second cam portion move in the direction of the horizontal movement operation, and the second cam portion presses the second pressing member, thereby pressing the operation direction detection switch and switching to an on state, and then the first cam portion further presses the first pressing member, thereby pressing the common switch and switching to an on state. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the common switch is a metal dome switch. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation direction detection switch is a rubber dome switch. an operation knob that can be moved horizontally and pressed vertically;
an operation direction detection switch that is switched to an on state in response to the moving operation of the operation knob;
a common switch that is pressed when the operation knob is moved or when the operation knob is pressed, generates an operation feeling different from that of the operation direction detection switch, and is switched to an on state;
A control unit and
The control unit is
When it is detected that the operation direction detection switch is switched on during a predetermined time period after the common switch is switched on, the switch-on of the common switch is ignored and it is determined that the operation knob has been moved, and
a multi-directional input device that determines that the pressing operation of the operation knob has been performed when the operation direction detection switch is not detected as being switched on within the predetermined time period after the common switch is detected as being switched on.

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